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Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 21, 2026
Osaka, boasting excellent accessibility just about 30 minutes by car from Kyoto, actually has numerous famous spots for viewing autumn foliage. Within the city, you can enjoy different autumn scenery at places like Osaka Castle Park and the ginkgo tree-lined Midosuji Avenue, while in the suburbs, you can enjoy Minoo Falls and Katsuoji Temple. This time, as a 2026 guide to Osaka's autumn foliage, we will introduce the best time to see the leaves in Osaka, recommended spots, access methods, and even luxurious glamping facilities that can be enjoyed for a 1-night, 2-day trip. Why not enjoy the autumn foliage not just on a day trip, but also by relaxing overnight in the midst of nature and fully experiencing autumn in Osaka?
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When people think of autumn foliage in the Kansai region, many think of Kyoto, but Osaka also has great attractions.
Outstanding access
Even within Osaka city alone, there are plenty of spots to enjoy autumn leaves and ginkgo trees, such as Osaka Castle Park and Midosuji Avenue. You can easily stop by on your arrival day or before your departure.
It's relatively less crowded than Kyoto.
Autumn foliage spots near Osaka, such as Minoo, Katsuoji Temple, and Ushiyakiyama, are not as crowded as Kiyomizu-dera Temple or Arashiyama in Kyoto, allowing you to enjoy leisurely strolls and photography.
Rich variety
You can enjoy the autumn foliage in a variety of locations, including city parks, Japanese gardens, ancient temples, valleys, waterfalls, and suspension bridges. The opportunity to combine it with Osaka's gourmet cuisine is another attractive feature.
In Osaka, you can usually enjoy the autumn foliage from late October to early December.
Many of these scenic spots reach their most beautiful peak viewing period from mid-November to early December.
Because the leaves change color later here than in Hokkaido or Tohoku, you can still enjoy beautiful autumn foliage even if you travel from late November to early December.
| Viewing period | Autumn foliage situation | Recommended spot |
|---|---|---|
| 10 late month - 11 early month | The leaves are just beginning to change color, with mountainous areas being the first to show their hues. | Ushiyakiyama, Kanshinji Temple, Inunakiyama |
| Mid-February to late March | Peak viewing season | Minoo Great Waterfall, Katsuoji Temple, Kamineyama Temple, Settsu Gorge |
| 11 late month - 12 early month | The city streets are also at their best. | Osaka Castle Park, Midosuji Avenue, Daisen Park, Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park |
This is one of Osaka's most famous spots for viewing autumn foliage.
A 2.8km walk along the gorge from Hankyu Minoo Station will take you to Minoo Falls, with a drop of 33 meters. The combination of the mountains dyed crimson and the waterfall is breathtaking, and on clear days, a rainbow may even appear.
It has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls" and "Japan's Top 100 Scenic Spots," making it an essential autumn foliage spot for sightseeing in Osaka.
Best time to see: Mid-October to early November
Access: Get off at Hankyu Minoo Station, approximately 30 minutes from Osaka city center.
This renowned temple boasts a history of approximately 1,300 years, and its grounds, covering about 80,000 tsubo (approximately 264,000 square meters), are planted with numerous maple trees.
The approach to the shrine is particularly famous for its tunnel-like path of autumn leaves, and a magical nighttime illumination event is held during the fall.
It is also known as the temple of the "winning daruma doll," famous for bringing good fortune in competitions, and you can enjoy viewing the autumn leaves and visiting the temple at the same time.
**Best time to see:** Mid-November to early December
**Highlights:** Autumn foliage along the approach to the shrine, nighttime illumination
This is the most easily accessible spot to see autumn foliage in Osaka City.
The contrast between Osaka Castle's main tower and the autumn leaves is beautiful, and there is also a large ginkgo tree in the park estimated to be about 300 years old.
It's recommended to visit on the first or last day of your trip and enjoy it in conjunction with sightseeing at Osaka Castle.
**Best time to see:** Late November to early December
Midosuji, Osaka's main street, is lined with approximately 1,000 ginkgo trees along a stretch of about 4 kilometers.
In autumn, the trees all turn golden, and when the leaves fall, the roads become covered in a yellow carpet.
While it's not a maple tree, it's a popular spot where you can enjoy the autumn foliage along with the surrounding parks.
**Best time to see:** Late November to early December
This is a large suspension bridge located in the Hoshida Park area of the Osaka Prefectural Forest.
From the top of the valley, you can overlook the forest that is covered in vibrant autumn colors, creating a breathtaking panorama in the fall.
This is a popular spot for viewing autumn foliage, especially among hiking and photography enthusiasts.
**Best time to see:** Mid-November to late November
This is a beautiful Japanese garden where approximately 100 maple trees are reflected on the surface of the pond.
In the autumn, the park will be open at night for a special event called "Autumn Leaves Illumination."
This is one of Osaka's leading autumn foliage spots, offering different scenery during the day and at night.
**Best time to see:** Mid-November to early December
**Highlights:** Nighttime illumination
Here are some luxury glamping facilities accessible by car from Osaka.
After enjoying the autumn foliage, why not spend a relaxing autumn evening in nature, perhaps relaxing in a hot spring, having a BBQ, or sitting around a bonfire?
This glamping facility is about an hour's drive from Universal Studios Japan.
All dome tents come with a private garden, and we also offer a BBQ area, tent sauna, jacuzzi, and complimentary drinks.
For dinner, you can enjoy sirloin steak made with "Naniwa Black Beef," chicken hot pot, and additional red, white, and sparkling wines.
These luxurious glamping villas all offer ocean views.
In front of the facility, a landscape unfolds where white sandy beaches and beautiful pine forests meet, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular scenery unique to Nishiki-no-hama, which has been selected as one of the "100 Best White Sand and Green Pine Beaches."
Enjoy a special resort stay in a private space, with excellent facilities including an all-weather BBQ area, jacuzzi, and private pool, allowing you to relax regardless of the weather.
For dinner, enjoy a luxurious glamping BBQ featuring Miyazaki beef sirloin steak, ribeye steak, and more.
Kyoto is attractive for its combination of historical temples and shrines and autumn foliage, but it gets extremely crowded during the season.
On the other hand, Osaka is easily accessible and relatively less crowded, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the autumn foliage in a wide range of locations, from city parks to valleys.
There's no need to worry about it being too cold.
Many of the facilities we've introduced here are equipped with not only air conditioning and heating, but also natural hot springs and saunas.
Enjoy a luxurious time gazing at the autumn scenery from inside a tent while savoring a warm BBQ.
For example, the Metasequoia tree-lined avenue in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is about a 90-minute drive from Osaka. The tree-lined road, which changes from golden to reddish-brown, is known as one of the most spectacular sights in the Kansai region.
Combining this with a stay at a nearby glamping facility will allow you to enjoy an even more fulfilling autumn foliage trip.
The best time to see the autumn leaves is only a few weeks each year.
How about choosing Osaka as your travel destination this autumn, spending your days admiring the autumn foliage at places like Minoo, Katsuoji Temple, and Osaka Castle Park, and then spending your evenings soaking in a hot spring while gazing at the starry sky at a glamping site surrounded by nature?
*This column was created based on information as of June 2026.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
